Innholdsfortegnelse for 11-Aug-2014 i Woman's Own

Girls on holiday! As these lovely snaps of Denise Van Outen and daughter Betsy show, summer holidays really are all about catching up with family. 'Mummy and Betsy loving Cape Verde,' Denise posted on Twitter. Last month, the Magic FM star, who turned 40 in May, revealed a new man in her life, Eddie Boxshall. But as all mums know, sharing time with your daughter on a girlie break is priceless! Join us online Head to our fabulous website, womansown.co.uk, to get all the latest celeb gossip, great competitions and deals, plus beauty, fashion, easy recipes and health tips.…

She lost four dress sizes in order to try for another baby, but Woman’s Own can reveal that despair over not falling pregnant again has led Claire Richards to binge eat. The mum-of-two addressed speculation about her dramatic weight loss in April, revealing that doctors had warned her that being overweight was preventing her from conceiving. But now insiders have revealed that she’s fallen back into old habits after her efforts to fall pregnant failed. Comfort eating ‘Claire had her heart set on getting pregnant quickly, after working so hard to shed the pounds. But it’s proving harder this time around and it hasn’t happened yet,’ a source close to the Loose Women star revealed. ‘She’s started comfort eating and is slipping back into her old ways. She can’t resist cake and…

Listen up, ladies! It’s time to ditch your razors and cancel those monthly waxing sessions – because hairy legs are apparently back in vogue. Well, that’s what a new internet campaign would have us believe anyway. Dubbed the Hairy Legs Movement, it’s taken Twitter by storm, with women all over the world proudly posting snaps of their untamed pins in a bid to persuade us to embrace the fuzz. ‘My glorious hairy legs!’ boasts one devotee alongside a picture of her impressive leg mane. ‘Natural and proud!’ cries another. The campaign even has its own Twitter hashtag – #hairylegs – and has spawned a whole host of online forums, including the Hairy Legs Club, the Very Hairy Legs blog and a popular Facebook group called WANG (Women Against Nonessential Grooming).…

From £10 Scarlet lady Darker skin tones pop in red. Eva Longoria, 39, sizzles in a matching shorts and shirt combo – an alternative take on the playsuit. And we give her bonus points for those white ’60s courts! Suits you! Amanda Holden, 43, goes super-bold in top-to-toe white. The fitted suit jacket adds a modern twist to this androgynous style, with a pretty, plunging lace cami adding a feminine finishing touch. All in one Say hello to the latest hot new style – the skort. The skirt-meets short is great for lengthening legs and trimming thighs. Luisa Zissman, 27, completes the look with sky-high silver wedges.…

1 Opt for a calorie -free slushie (made up of water, lots of crushed ice and a dash of lemon) before exercising on a summer’s day. Research shows that the cooling effect on your insides after consuming a slushie-style drink will help you to keep going longer on hot days and in turn, you’ll be able to burn more calories. 2 Change the incline on the gym treadmill from flat to 3% and you’ll burn nearly a third more calories. For the average person weighing between 10 and 11 stone that’s about 90 extra calories on a half-hour run at six miles per hour. 3 Choose a puffed snack like popcorn. People given puffed snacks ate 73% more in volume, but 21% fewer calories compared with similar non-airy snacks, research…

THE FACTS 21m adults in the UK are estimated to suffer from at least one allergy. What causes it? An allergic reaction is your body’s way of trying to protect you. It overreacts to a seemingly harmless substance – such as pollen, dust mites or animal fur – mistaking it as a threat and releasing an excess of histamine to fight it. That’s what causes swelling and symptoms such as a runny nose, itchy eyes, hives (a skin rash) and, in extreme cases, anaphylactic shock – a life-threatening allergic reaction that causes your mouth and throat to swell, resulting in breathing difficulties. Are more of us suffering? Rates of allergy are going up worldwide, affecting up to 30-35% of people at some stage in their lives, says charity Allergy UK.…

Atypical redhead, I hated being told what to do. I’d been out with my boyfriend and he’d got the hump with me because I had spoken to someone else, even though it was all completely innocent. ‘You’re being ridiculous,’ I’d told him, and stormed out of the pub That’s how, at 11.30pm on a summer’s night in 1984, I found myself alone and wondering how to get home. At 17, I was still living with my parents, and for a moment I thought about calling my dad and asking him to pick me up. But it was late and I thought he’d be cross, so I decided to walk. It wasn’t far, especially if I took the shortcut through the grounds of Oldway Mansion in my hometown of Paignton, Devon.…

Save o er £70! SCONE PALACE, PERTH Save £10.50 ♦ Two-for-one entry to the palace, garden and grounds ♦ Save £10.50 ♦ For more info visit www.scone-palace.co.uk Terms and conditions Valid to 7 September 2014. Not valid on bank holidays or for events. No photocopies. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer or promotion. One voucher per party. Voucher value 0.0001p. NOT FOR RESALE CRICH TRAMWAY VILLAGE Save £13 ♦ Two-for-one entry to this award-winning museum in Matlock, Derbyshire, with unlimited rides on vintage trams ♦ 30,000 sq ft of indoor attractions, too ♦ Save £13 ◆ For more info visit tramway.co.uk or call 01773 854321 Terms and conditions Valid to 7 September 2014. Not valid on 1940s Events. Cheapest ticket free. No photocopies. Not to be…

The only way is Essex The countryside of Dedham Vale, on the Essex/Suffolk border, inspired many of John Constable’s paintings and makes for a lovely late-summer walk. Stop off at The Essex Rose Tea House, set in a 16th-century building on Dedham’s high street. It’s one of five tea rooms owned by Wilkin & Sons’ Tiptree jam firm, so expect a fabulous range of conserves to spread on your scones. BOOKING: Tea and scones from £5.95 per person; tiptree.com Relax and retox You can never have too much indulgence, so why not combine your tea and cake with a spa break, for an extra-special weekend? Try the package at the Park Plaza Hotel in Cardiff, which includes a night’s stay, breakfast, a facial or a massage, plus a champagne afternoon…

Every day, more and more women are playing online bingo, not just for the fun games but also for the great community. But if you’re new to online bingo, it can be daunting knowing where to start. To help you get going, we’ve put together this simple guide. What is online bingo? It’s just like traditional bingo, except you play on your computer. So you can play in comfort at home when it’s convenient to you and win cash prizes. How do I join? Visit womansown-bingo.co.uk, register and pick a member name and password. Then deposit money into your Bingo account to buy tickets and play games. If you deposit ￡?0, you can buy up to 1,000 bingo Tickets!† You’re always in control as you decide how much to deposit…

He may be best known for his impressive moves on the dance floor but it’s also his good looks and charm that have made Ashley Banjo, 25, so popular with TV viewers. Since first hitting our screens on 2009’s Britain’s Got Talent with his dance troupe Diversity, Ashley has been melting hearts all over the world and now he’s set to become a regular in our living rooms once again as he returns as a judge on Got To Dance alongside Adam Garcia and Kimberly Wyatt. Here he talks arguments between the judges, his close relationship with Davina McCall, and what goes on backstage when the cameras have stopped rolling… Which of the ot To Dance judges are you closest to? I get on with them both in different ways. Obviously Adam is a guy…

Fashion disaster I’ve had loads but the one that stands out was during the very early days of Liberty X when I wore a black top with diamond versions of Spider-Man on my boobs to a premiere. Car I bought a very bright yellow Hyundai Coupe with my first lot of wages from the band. I know it’s not exactly a Rolls-Royce but it felt like a really extravagant buy. Drunken night out When I was 15, I went to a New Year’s Eve party at a friend’s house and got absolutely hammered on Diamond White cider. I was so sick, her parents had to take me home. My mum was absolutely furious. I didn’t touch another drop of alcohol for a good two years after that. Time abroad without…

Whittle your waist A figure like this deserves to be shown off. Liz Hurley, 49, draws in her middle with a wide belt and a long flowing skirt. Sparkle in sequins British actress Gemma Arterton, 28, looks absolutely dazzling in this gorgeous nude pink body-con number. The shimmering fabric is a real winner on the red carpet. Flaunt your arms A one-shoulder style is great for those with shapely shoulders and toned arms, like Kate Beckinsale, 41. This magenta all-in-one is definitely on our holiday shopping list! Lengthen your legs Team a thigh-grazing minidress with sky-high golden heels to create the illusion of longer legs, just like BGT judge Alesha Dixon, 35. Boost your bust Fashion tape at the ready, ladies! Reese Witherspoon, 38, makes sure all eyes are on…

Standing outside a London courtroom, Tulisa Contostavlos looked drained. The singer had just been found guilty of assaulting a man at a festival in Essex. It was a bitter blow after her sensational earlier victory, where the case against her for brokering a deal for cocaine was dropped. Yet Tulisa, 26, who has admitted she contemplated suicide, said she was looking forward to returning to work after the drugs trial forced the singer to take a year off. But with reports that she’s already back in the recording studio, can the former X Factor judge ever truly bounce back from the controversy that has clouded her life for the past 12 months? ‘I have not been able to work for a year, and I am looking forward to resuming my…

Looking in the mirror I saw a tired, unhappy woman looking back at me. ‘What are you doing, Serena?’ I asked my reflection. The answer was that I didn’t know any more. A night out with my husband had ended in an almighty row. It wasn’t the first we’d had recently, but it was the worst. I was just 16 when we’d met. Within a year I was pregnant with our daughter, Aimee, now 12. Everyone told me I was mad to settle down so young, but that just made me even more determined to make it work. We’d gone on to have a son, Karl, 10. It was concern for the kids – and my own stubbornness – that had kept me in the marriage so long. But now…

1 Wash A thorough cleanse of your hair is essential – product build-up weighs it down. Trevor Sorbie Rejuvenate Shampoo, £7.99, uses collagen to plump up fine hair. Never apply conditioner to the top of your head, as it will flatten your roots. Work Naked Volume Weightless Conditioner, £4.39, through the midlengths and ends. TOP TIP For super-fine hair, reverse your cleansing regime. Apply conditioner first then follow with shampoo. Why? For all the nourishment plus extra root lift. 2 Product After washing and conditioning, carefully squeeze your hair with a towel to remove excess water (being too rough and rubbing it damages follicles) then work in a generous blob of Tresemmé Thermal Creations Volume Boosting Mousse, £5.75, to add body and help protect against heat damage. Next, spray Envy…

Why am I so moody? In the last year, I feel like I’ve completely lost my patience. I never used to be an angry person but now I find myself yelling at my kids or bursting into tears for no reason. My sister has suggested I might be having an early menopause, as she did at 46. Is it worth seeing my GP? And if it’s early menopause, what can I do? Jenna, 46, Yeovil Please start by seeing your GP and asking for an FSH function test, which is a specific way of checking your hormone levels, to confirm whether there are changes behind your symptoms. You mention in your longer letter that your mum had breast cancer and you’d be worried about taking HRT if you’re having an…

My beautiful newborn baby, Una, gurgled, blinking at me with her big blue eyes as I carefully placed her in the tub for her first bath. But while it should have been a magical moment between mum and baby, I couldn’t stop tears of grief streaming down my cheeks. Because in a flash, I was taken back to a time when, as a young girl, I’d help my mum, Helen, bathe my baby sister, Mollie. And then, more horrifying memories came screaming back. Mum and Mollie covered in blood, my little sister, just nine years old, taking her last breaths – the victim of a savage murder by the man she called Daddy. When Mollie was born in March 1996, I adored her. ‘Can she be my baby?’ I begged…

Driving through the city streets, hot on the heels of a criminal, my partner Elliott and I felt as if we had stepped straight into a police drama. It was July 2012 and it was hard to believe that half an hour earlier we’d been shopping for blinds in Hull, Yorkshire. We’d been about to go home when Elliott, 44, decided to nip to the loo, while I waited for him in the car. It was a lovely sunny day and smiling to myself, I tapped my fingers on the dashboard and looked around me. There was only one other car in the car park, a rust-coloured hatchback in front of us. I could just make out the back of the man’s head in the driving seat, and a tuft…

Everyone knows how devastating cancer is. But what many people don’t realise is the sense of despair that can linger long after the scars have healed. For many cancer victims, the recovery period is as difficult as the surgery. But one special woman wants to make sure those people have someone to turn to. Ally Henshaw was just 43 when her doctor found a lump in her left breast during a mammogram. Her mum had battled cancer in her forties so she knew she was at risk, but now she was suddenly facing an uncertain future: a lumpectomy and lymph node removal operation, followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy. A problem shared A single mum to three boys -Steve, then 20, and twins Stewart and Morgan, 11 - with her parents…

My boyfriend Neil and I love playing together on Woman’s Own Bingo. We even get a bit competitive, seeing if we can outdo each other on the daily free games and chat quizzes, although even he would admit that I do better most of the time! We logged on one Sunday evening to pick our squares on the free Tiki’s Catch of the Day game (available once you’ve joined and deposited your first £10). I only needed to find one more symbol to win £10 – and I got it! I switched to play Pharaoh’s Chamber, one of my favourite slots, and soon I’d won over £100. I withdrew £100 but still had a few pounds left in my account. So I bought some tickets for Tiki Bingo, which had a jackpot…

Horoscopes Aries 21 Mar - 20 Apr It’s a week when it’s easy to have fun and easy to get confused. Maybe these are connected and you’re enjoying yourself so much it’s hard to concentrate. If you really need to make a decision, trust your sixth sense - or wait until next week. ♦ For more call 0901 609 4780* Taurus 21 Apr - 20 May At the end of the week there’s a lot going on with home, family, ageing parents or just life/work balance. Some development or situation hits a mini-crisis and needs sorting. Do it by bringing out your nurturing side. ♦ For more call 0901 609 4781* Gemini 21 May - 20 Jun One minute you’re all excited about something, then reality kicks in and it’s…

Heading for HOLLYWOOD Essex girl Sam Faiers could be about to swap Brentwood for Hollywood. The former TOWIE star, 23, is set to meet with top showbiz agents over in the States when she visits next month to discuss a US reality TV show. An insider revealed, ‘It’s all very exciting for her. No one in Britain knew who she was a few years ago and now she’s in the papers all the time, so why can’t it be like that in America?’ We wonder what boyfriend Joey Essex will make of her transatlantic move? EXTREME MAKEUNDER Actress Vicky Binns admitted that when it comes to joining the cast of The Mill you can forget about being vain. The former Corrie actress, 32, confessed that the make-up department went to extreme lengths…

ROYAL PHOTOBOMB This is quite possibly the best photobomb picture ever! The Queen got in on the trend, posing behind two Australian hockey players taking pictures at the Commonwealth Games. ‘Ahhh The Queen photobombed our selfie,’ Jayde Taylor tweeted. For more fun facts about HRH, turn to page 12. CBB veto If rumours are true, Helen Flanagan, 24, has turned down £250,000 to appear on Celebrity Big Brother because her boyfriend, footballer Scott Sinclair, put his foot down. According to a source, after her stint on I’m A Celeb…, Channel 5 ‘thought she’d be spilling secrets in no time’. Meanwhile, it seems that Googlebox stars Steph and Dom Parker, plus Lauren Goodger, are being lined up for the show. Don’t end up Inrehab Coleen Nolan opens up about her ultimatum to son Jake…

1 The Queen doesn’t like anything that smells of garlic or onions. She also dislikes anything that is flavoured with paprika. 2 Prince Philip likes a bottle of beer at lunchtime. Bottoms up! 3 The Queen has nine royal thrones – one at the House of Lords, two at Westminster Abbey, and six in the throne room at Buckingham Palace. 4 The Queen banks with the famous Coutts and one of the institution’s cashpoints can be found tucked away inside Buckingham Palace. 5 The Palace has its own cinema, chapel, post office, staff cafeteria, swimming pool and doctor’s surgery. 6 When the Queen is away on royal visits she likes to steer clear of shellfish. It’s thought that this is to avoid any bouts of food poisoning. Smart lady! 7…

From £10 Disguise a tummy A flared-hem top is the perfect piece if you want to camouflage your stomach. ♦ RUCHE IT UP A dress with soft draping will help to hide a bulging stomach and will flatter your figure in all the right places. ♦ LIGHTER OPTION Loose, lightweight pieces like waterfall jackets are a wardrobe must-have as they skim instead of cling. ♦ PRIZE PEPLUM Every tum’s best friend! This fit-and-flare style hides a less than-toned middle. Slim your thighs Your legs will love this season’s trouser styles. ♦ PERFECT PALAZZOS Wide-legged trousers in flowy fabrics really work for fuller thighs. Easy-to-wear, they cleverly create a slimmer bottom half. ♦ SAY YES TO STRIPES Vertical lines will instantly make your legs look longer and leaner. Avoid horizontal stripes…

From £3.99 Editor’s fave Clinique Smart Custom-Repair Serum, £48 This works out which ingredients your skin needs and which it doesn’t to target dull skin, dark spots, wrinkles and sagging. Improved for mula No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Serum, £24.95 After seven years of research, this new and improved version of the cult beauty favourite has been proven to be even more effective at fighting lines. Tesco Pro Formula Q10 Anti-Age Night Cream, £3.99 Slather this on before bed and let the coenzyme Q10 formula get to work on reversing damage as you rest. The Body Shop Vitamin E Aqua Boost Sorbet, £10 This light-as-air moisturiser creates an instant cooling sensation and continues to hydrate parched skin for 24 hours. Nspa Double Action Youth Serum, £6, Asda With a…

4 of the best Holiday Heroes These must-buys will help protect the whole family FEAR OF FLYING Pop a Bach Rescue Remedy Spray (£7.25 for 7ml, Holland & Barrett) into your bag. Spritz it on your tongue to help comfort and calm. BUG PROTECTION Guard against tummy bugs with BioCare TravelGuard (£17.60 for 15 capsules, biocare.co.uk). It helps to maintain healthy bacteria and fight off E. coli and salmonella. NO MORE BITES Insects hate the smell of citronella. Stick Anthisan Citronella Patches (£3. 99 pack of 24, pharmacies) on your clothes for 12 hours of protection. SICKNESS SOOTHER Swap inflight drinks for herbal tea Neal’s Yard Remedies Organic After Dinner Tea bags (£2.99 for 18 nealsyardremedies.com) are packed with digestion-easing peppermint to help you rehydrate. Food for thought Did you…

It’s a tough sell for even the pushiest estate agent. ‘Three bedrooms, en-suite, spacious living room, big garden, oh, and several brutal murders happened here.’ Most prospective tenants would bolt immediately, shuddering at the thought of even looking around such a place, never mind buying one. Yet across the country there are a handful of properties that not only hide terrible, haunting pasts, but have families happily residing in them. Some are living in blissful ignorance, perhaps even enjoying a cup of tea sitting out on the patio while some poor victim’s body decays under their feet, while others know all about – and may even relish in – their home’s bloody history. But could you live in a house of horror? Could you walk the same floorboards and bed…

SLIMMING WOR LD EXCLUSIVE Minted lamb couscous salad SERVES 4 PREP TIME 10 MINS COOKING TIME 35 MINS YOU WILL NEED ♦ 200g lean lamb leg steak, fat removed ♦ 1 courgette, diced ♦ 1 red and 1 yellow pepper, deseeded and cut into small pieces ♦ Low-cal cooking spray ♦ 150g dried couscous ◆ ♦ Handful of mint FOR THE MARINADE ♦ 3tbsp lemon juice ♦ 3 garlic cloves, crused ♦ 1tsp each ground cumin and cinnamon ♦ 2tbsp balsamic vinegar ♦ 2tbsp tomato purée ♦ 4tbsp passata HOW TO DO IT 1 Preheat oven to 200°C/Gas 6. Put the marinade ingredients in a bowl and mix. 2 Add the lamb, courgette, peppers and red onion to the marinade and stir to coat well. Tip everything into a roasting…

5 STEPS TO DIY on a budget The holidays are often a time when we crack open the toolbox and try to finish odd jobs. But a third of homes have an unfinished DIY project, with two in five letting the situation drag on for more than a year, according to research by Ocean Finance. Here’s how to avoid a DIY disaster… 1 PREPARATION IS VITAL From wallpapering to hanging a door, learn new skills for free at a You Can Do It workshop at your local B&Q. Visit DIY.com to find one near you. Or check out the online tutorials at homebase. co.uk. Before you start, make sure you have the correct tools for the job. You can pick up drills and saws at lower prices online – don’t…

I’ve always loved bingo and used to go to my local hall regularly, but when I found out you could play online, I wasted no time joining up. It meant I could save on the expense of going into town and could play whenever it suited me. I tried a couple of other sites, but I never got on with them. Then I discovered Woman’s Own Bingo and I’d found my perfect match! There were lots of games to choose from, a great online community, and demo games to try out, so I could see what games I liked. I logged on one Saturday evening and bought some tickets for the Tiki Bingo room. It was my go-to room, because the games were really cheap, costing from 1p to 5p…

So sorry, Sue My sister-in-law, Sue, was recently burgled while she was asleep in bed. They took phones, watches, iPads and laptops and even her new car. To make matters worse, Sue's mother was then rushed to hospital and Sue couldn’t get to her. I just want to let her know how sorry we all are that she’s having a tough time and that we’re thinking of her. She buys Woman’s Own every week, so hopefully this will make her smile. Ann Hughes, Flintshire Totally disgusted My heart went out to Vicky Tindle, who was set on fire by the man she loved. It’s unthinkable that one human being could do that to another, whatever the circumstances. It must be so hard for her to move on knowing it was his…

RICHARD ARNOLD Doing a Dolly You know the Dolly Parton quote about it taking a lot of money to look this cheap? I’m thinking Kate Garraway could be giving the country queen a run for her cash. The presenter has her I fake tan applied before going on air. That’s after an hour in make-up, hair and nails. Whatever happened to my pal who turned up in a scrunchy? Hot stuff! A hot, sticky, summer party can play havoc with keeping cool, so I was happy to take tips at an ITV bash from jetsetter Piers Morgan. ‘Wear black,’ he told me, as my moobs were sweating. ‘You can’t go wrong.’ He and Amanda Holden were seen making a beeline for Downton’s Mrs Patmore. ‘Bette Midler is a huge fan…